1st month done

Well that is the 1st month done and what a month it has been for me. Winter storms, rare local sighting, creepy birdwatcher, brand loyalty destroyed and car troubles. 

Summary

January 1st started well in my local area before moving up to Montrose Basin, Scottish Wildlife Trust visitor center where I met others from several clubs including Dundee Naturalists and the Angus and Dundee bird club.  We managed to spot some sightings including green winged teal and a great northern diver (loon).  Then on the 2nd I was up in the Cairngorms for crested tits, greylags and whooper swans were among the highlights.  I did try to climb Cairngorm mountain but got caught in a wee blizzard and low cloud, so the ptarmigan will wait a few months.

Storm Eowyn

While other people were hiding from an amber weather warning I reminded myself that I am Scottish and not scared by a strong breeze. So I went out and stood on top Seaton cliffs in Arbroath and then back to the basin, which was surprisingly calm although the visitor centre was shut for the wind.

Black grouse

I was incredibly lucky on the 15th to hear then see a female black grouse while sea watching at Auchmithie. I then had to spend 3 days there with another birder to verify it was indeed a grouse. I might never find true rare birds but I find Scottish birds in unusual places.

Creepy birdwatcher

I joined a new social media site and got chatting to a few other Scottish birders which was cool... Until I started to speak to one from my home city about the fieldsports industry why managed grouse moors are actually beneficial for wild birds such as waders and raptors. (Ignore the sometimes illegal killings) Managed grouse moors have more species than non managed estates. this is where things got weird... Local newbie birder turned around and says that he finds a sexual thrill when shooting grouse. I swiftly made an excuse to leave and have not spoken to him since.

Brand loyalty destroyed

After 15 years of using nothing but Hawke optics and even wearing branded clothing etc. I have 3 Bins, 2 scopes and 2 monoculars. I have been forced to start looking for another brand to use. I discovered that I had dust inside the optical lens of my brand new bins, and sent them back to Hawke to be cleaned.  They sent them back saying they had cleaned them, when in fact they never so I sent them back again, this time Hawke sent them back still with the dirt inside them but also damaged... I have sent them emails which went unanswered and after phoning them, I got told that there is nothing they can do, even though they are under warranty. 

Long story short, I will be changing my brand when I can. 

Car problems and illness

My rear brakes are shot and therefore I have not been able to get out as much or as far as I had planned for this month and I was bed ridden for around a week.  So with these issues I am 20 species shy of triple figures.

TOTAL: 80